If the lure of Britney Spears could not boost “The X Factor” ratings, what chance did the new panel with Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio have?
Ratings for the hourlong season three “X Factor” premiere endured a significant decline Wednesday, dropping to a 4.7 overnight metered market rating. According to TV Media Insights, last season’s two-hour premiere delivered a 6.7, which was a decline in and of itself from the 8.7 for the series premiere in 2011.
Update: The performance in adults 18-49 was even bleaker. Wednesday’s season three premiere of “The X Factor” drew a 2.1 adults 18-49 rating with 6.17 million viewers. That performance constitutes a flop.
Adding to the negative outlook is the fact that Wednesday’s episode aired against limited broadcast competition; last year’s show opened against NBC’s juggernaut “The Voice.”
After dropping LA Reid and Britney Spears from its panel last season, “X Factor” returned this year with veteran judges Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato and new judges Rowland and Rubio